What is error code 0x800701E3 fatal device?

Error code 0x800701E3 is a fatal device hardware error that occurs in Windows. This error indicates that a problem with a hardware device, driver, or system resource has caused Windows to stop working properly.

What causes error code 0x800701E3?

There are a few potential causes for the 0x800701E3 error:

  • Faulty or failing hardware device – Issues with devices like hard drives, RAM, motherboards, CPUs can trigger this error.
  • Outdated, corrupt or missing device drivers – Device drivers act as the software interface between hardware and the operating system. Driver issues are a common cause of hardware errors.
  • Power supply problems – Insufficient or irregular power delivery can lead to hardware malfunctions.
  • Damaged system files or registry corruption – Critical system files like kernel files, DLLs and registry hives can become damaged and cause 0x800701E3.
  • Memory issues – Errors like bad RAM sticks or memory slots, memory leaks can crash Windows with this error.
  • Software conflicts – Incorrectly configured software or incompatible applications/services vying for the same system resources.
  • Virus infection – Viruses, spyware, malware can attack system processes/hardware and cause system issues.

In most cases, the 0x800701E3 error is caused by failing or malfunctioning hardware. The error message indicates that a problem with a core system component like memory, storage, CPU or motherboard is disrupting normal functioning of Windows.

How to troubleshoot and fix error code 0x800701E3

There are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and attempt to resolve the 0x800701E3 error:

  1. Restart your PC – Restarting refreshes any stuck processes and reloads drivers. The issue may be a temporary glitch fixed by a reboot.
  2. Check for overheating issues – Overheating can cause hardware malfunctions. Make sure fans are working, vents are unobstructed and components are properly cooled.
  3. Update device drivers – Outdated drivers often cause conflicts. Update chipset, GPU, storage, network, peripherals drivers.
  4. Uninstall recently added hardware/software – New changes may have caused incompatibility issues leading to 0x800701E3.
  5. Run SFC and DISM scans – System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing can diagnose and replace corrupt system files.
  6. Test and replace faulty hardware – Perform diagnostics tests on components like RAM, HDD using Windows Memory Diagnostic and Check Disk tools.
  7. Check for malware/virus infection – Use a good antivirus program to scan for and remove any malware present.
  8. Reseat internal hardware connections – Open up the PC, disconnect and reconnect internal cables and memory modules to ensure proper contact.
  9. Reset BIOS settings – Experiment with BIOS configurations relating to hardware. Load BIOS defaults or update BIOS version.
  10. Clean reinstall Windows – If all else fails, perform a clean install of Windows to eliminate any underlying OS files corruption.

Detailed troubleshooting steps

Here are more detailed explanations and instructions for some of the key troubleshooting steps for 0x800701E3 error:

1. Restart your computer

Restarting the PC clears out any temporary glitches, refreshes drivers and starts fresh with a new kernel and system processes. The issue causing the 0x800701E3 error may have been a one-time fault rectified by a reboot.

2. Check for overheating issues

Excessive heat can destabilize system components and cause spontaneous shutdowns with error code 0x800701E3. Make sure the fans on CPU, GPU, Power Supply and case are spinning and dust-free. Open up the PC and ensure all vents and cooling channels are debris-free and unobstructed. Consider adding more fans or upgrading cooling system if you suspect overheating.

3. Update Device Drivers

One of the most common triggers of hardware errors is buggy, obsolete or wrong device drivers. Important drivers to update for error code 0x800701E3:

  • Chipset drivers – Available from motherboard OEM website. Keeps motherboard firmware updated.
  • GPU drivers – Get latest drivers from Nvidia or AMD depending on your graphics card.
  • Storage drivers – Update drivers for hard disks, SSDs from device manufacturer sites.
  • Network adapter drivers – OEM network card vendors like Realtek, Intel provide drivers for ethernet/WiFi adapters.
  • Peripheral drivers – Update drivers for external devices like printers, scanners, keyboards, webcam etc.

Use Device Manager to identify all hardware devices in your PC, research official vendor sites and update all drivers to latest available versions.

4. Uninstall Recent Changes

If you started getting the 0x800701E3 error after making certain hardware or software changes, uninstalling those changes may fix the issue:

  • If you just installed new hardware like RAM, graphics card, hard drive prior to error – uninstall it
  • If you recently updated drivers, BIOS, Windows etc – roll back to older version
  • If you installed new software/applications – uninstall it

Undoing recent changes isolates if any of those new additions was causing a conflict and system instability.

5. Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corruption or missing system files like DLLs, drivers and critical operating system components can also cause hardware fault blue screens like 0x800701E3. To scan for and restore such damaged system files-

Run System File Checker (SFC) – Open command prompt as admin and run command: sfc /scannow. This will scan Windows system files and replace corrupted ones from a cache.

Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) – DISM tool checks integrity of OS image files and can retrieve missing ones. Run command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to perform repairs.

6. Test Hardware Using Diagnostics

To isolate exactly which piece of hardware is malfunctioning, you can perform diagnostics tests-

  • Windows Memory Diagnostic – Tests RAM for faults. Restart PC and launch it from Troubleshooting options in Advanced startup.
  • Check Disk – Scans hard drives and SSDs for bad sectors and file system errors. Run chkdsk C: /f to execute it.
  • GPU/CPU stress testing – Use software like Furmark and Prime95 to test CPU and GPU under intensive load for overheating or stability issues.
  • Hardware diagnostics – Most hardware components like HDDs, RAM sticks, GPUs come with diagnostics software from manufacturer.

Based on which test fails, you can identify and replace the specific faulty hardware component.

7. Check for malware and viruses

Malware like trojans and viruses can sometimes modify system files or attack hardware drivers causing BSOD errors like 0x800701E3. Scan your system using a good antivirus software like Windows Defender, Malwarebytes or Bitdefender. Also check for any unknown or suspicious processes and services in Task Manager.

8. Reseat internal hardware

Open up your PC case and disconnect all internal cables and hardware components like RAM sticks, graphics cards, storage drives etc. Then reconnect them properly to ensure there are no loose connections. Faulty seating of internal hardware can cause the error. Reseating clears any debris/dust and establishes firm contacts.

9. Reset BIOS settings

Your motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) controls communication between OS and hardware. Corrupted BIOS settings like overclocks can thus lead to hardware failures. Resetting BIOS to factory state may resolve issue:

  • Enter BIOS setup menu on boot – usually by pressing F2, F10 or Delete key.
  • Reset BIOS settings to default and save changes.
  • Alternatively, update to latest stable BIOS version from manufacturer.

10. Clean install Windows

If you have tried all of the above troubleshooting steps to no avail, the last resort is to do a clean reinstall of Windows. This will format the OS drive and install fresh copies of system files which may eliminate corruptions causing 0x800701E3. Make sure to backup data before reinstalling Windows.

How to prevent error code 0x800701E3 in the future

Here are some best practices you can follow to avoid encountering fatal hardware error 0x800701E3 again in the future:

  • Keep your devices and drivers updated with latest software versions.
  • Monitor system temperatures and keep components properly cooled and dust-free.
  • Use a quality surge protector to avoid power fluctuations damaging hardware.
  • Exercise caution when overclocking system components like CPU, RAM, GPU.
  • Regularly scan for malware and viruses to protect system stability.
  • Handle internal hardware carefully to avoid loose connections or physical damage.

Careful hardware handling, keeping software updated, maintaining cooling and filtering power delivery will go a long way towards avoiding dreaded blue screen crashes like 0x800701E3 in the future.

Conclusion

Error code 0x800701E3 is a critical hardware error in Windows indicating device failure or resource conflicts. Causes range from faulty hardware like RAM/HDD to buggy drivers and malware. Thorough troubleshooting steps like testing hardware, updating drivers, virus scans and reinstalling Windows can resolve the problem. Precautions like cooling, updates and safe overclocking will help prevent the error. While 0x800701E3 can cause system crashes, understanding the techniques to troubleshoot and fix it can allow you to recover and restore normal functioning.